Vermont becomes first state to permit drug imports from Canada

Source: Politico

Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott Wednesday signed legislation making his state the first to legalize importing prescription drugs from Canada, an idea President Donald Trump's top health officials oppose that's also drawn fierce opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.

A spokeswoman for Scott said he signed the bill Wednesday morning. The measure had overwhelming support in the Democratic-controlled legislature and is one of the most aggressive attempts by a state to tackle rising drug prices that critics say are crippling state finances.

Its enactment also puts the Trump administration in a bind after the rollout of a highly anticipated plan for tackling rising drug costs. HHS still has to certify Vermontís program.

ďTrump is trumpeting his desire to do something about high-cost drugs,Ē said Democratic state Sen. Claire Ayer, one of the bill sponsors. ďIím hoping that theyíll see it as an opportunity for him to say that heís done something about high drug prices.Ē

5. As a Canadian, I say this is bullshit

We already have shortages of many common drugs in Canada (Epipen, for instance) and this will just allow the drug companies here to sell to the highest bidder, leaving insufficient amounts for Canadians who already struggle with high drug costs.

18. Would Vermont residents get Canadian prices?

21. Except prices aren't controlled very well.

Canadians currently pay the second highest price for drugs in the OECD. There's nothing saying that drugs being exported have to be priced at the same rate as that charged to Canadians so the drug companies will decide it's better to send them south of the border and make a killing. If you've got 45 minutes, here is a good video from CBC's Fifth Estate about how we're getting gouged here compared to other countries (except the U.S.).

8. Republican Gov. Phil Scott?

17. That was funny! Look what else he signed.

Gun control

"Gov. Phil Scott signed historic gun restrictions into law on the Statehouse steps in April. His endorsement of the new limits on gun purchases and use was an about-face that irked his Republican base. Supporters of the governor denounced him as a traitor, while moderate members of the GOP and many Democrats lauded him as a courageous leader.

In the wake of news about an alleged planned shooting at Fair Haven Union High School in February, Scott worked with the Democratically controlled Legislature to impose restrictions on guns. Act 94 expands background checks in private sales, raises the purchase age to 21, limits magazine sales and bans bump stocks. Act 92 enables law enforcement officials to remove weapons from people arrested or cited on domestic violence offenses.

Prior to the enactment of these new statutes, Vermont had among the most liberal gun laws in the nation.